Editor’s note: This letter is in response to a letter posted on March 9 about the upcoming Town Meeting vote on whether to support the We the People Act.
To the editor:
If this effort to amend the First Amendment is such a good idea, why is it opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union, which says, “Unfortunately, legitimate concern over the influence of ‘big money’ in politics has led some to propose a constitutional amendment to reverse the decision [Citizens United]. The ACLU will firmly oppose any constitutional amendment that would limit the free speech clause of the First Amendment.”
The idea of treating corporations as “persons” is neither new nor novel. The definitions sections of both the U.S. Code and the Massachusetts General Laws define “person” to include corporations. Corporations are merely associations of individuals who have banded together to pursue profit (e.g., General Motors) or social goals (e.g., Planned Parenthood). The First Amendment rights that they exercise are the rights of their stockholders and supporters to advance their goals. That cannot be done without spending money. Limiting the ability of corporations to spend money to publicize their positions on political issues limits the rights of citizens to free association and to speak on political issues.
Sincerely,
Michael Coppock
214 Aspen Circle
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